Olympia, WA – March 19, 2009 – In a showing of unity and resolve, the Washington Values Alliance joined with numerous organizations, state legislators, and several thousand concerned citizens Thursday on the capitol steps for the mutual purpose of defending marriage in the state of Washington.
Attendees came from far and wide, some driving hundreds of miles to attend the event and to hand deliver letters asking legislators and Governor Gregoire to vote no on Senate Bill 5688 and HB 1727, bills that declare for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses.
“I was happy that so many of our fellow citizens (est. 2,400+) braved the rain and cold to attend yesterday’s event, but not surprised as people of this state are beginning to understand that legalizing homosexual marriage presents a very real threat to our hallowed rights of conscience, dissent, and freedom of religion”, said Larry Stickney, President of the Washington Values Alliance, whose organization organized the event.
“If the marriage equality bills are to pass this year, they will demolish the historical understanding and definition of marriage as that of uniting a man and a woman for life. By creating the legal equivalent of the marital union, Washington State will be subject to litigation by homosexual partners demanding that the courts overturn our state’s Defense of Marriage Act. Which is exactly what happened in California prior to Proposition 8″, Stickney continued.
The Washington Values Alliance and the Faith and Freedom Network both vowed to carry on the fight via referendum or initiative if a homosexual marriage equality bill is passed during the 2009 legislative session.
On March 10, Senate Bill 5688 passed out of the Senate on a vote of 30 – 18. SB 5688 is now scheduled for public hearing in front of the House Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM on Monday, March 23 (House Hearing Room A). While it is considered highly likely that the ultra-liberal House Judiciary Committee will pass the bill out on Monday, the Washington Values Alliance is urging those who can to attend the hearing and testify in opposition.
Speakers at the “Stand Up For Marriage Rally” included the following:
Pastor Rick Long, Atonement Free Lutheran Church
Gary Randall (Faith & Freedom Network)
State Representative Matt Shea
Ron Boehme, USRenewal.org and YWAM
Cindy Honcoop, Washington Eagle Forum
Pastor Ken Hutcherson, Antioch Bible Church
State Senator Val Stevens
State Senator Jim Hargrove
State Senator Pam Roach
State Senator Dan Swecker
Representative Jim McCune
Representative Brad Klippert
Representative Shelly Short
Stephen Pidgeon, Esq., Decalogos International
Jarrod Roth, general agent of the Knights of Columbus
Larry Stickney, Washington Values Alliance
Russell Johnson, Family Policy Institute of Washington
Pastor Peter Kulakevich, Christian Center International
Rick Forcier, Christian Coalition of WA
About the author: cominus
Cominus is the pen-name for Dean Isaacson, who got involved in the GOP in 1983, the year my son was born. Chairman of the Snohomish County Republican Central Committee (Washington) 1990 to 1992. Conducted legal research for the late Supreme Court Justice William C. Goodloe for several years. In 1996, succeeded him to lead Judicial Forum (the year before he passed away). Moved to Idaho in 1999 and still reviews judicial candidates in the State of Washington. My core belief is you will choose to serve God or you will serve the state - tyrants, as William Penn called it.
My Prayer Closet (2011)
Thousands Stand Up For Marriage in Olympia
Attendees came from far and wide, some driving hundreds of miles to attend the event and to hand deliver letters asking legislators and Governor Gregoire to vote no on Senate Bill 5688 and HB 1727, bills that declare for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses.
“I was happy that so many of our fellow citizens (est. 2,400+) braved the rain and cold to attend yesterday’s event, but not surprised as people of this state are beginning to understand that legalizing homosexual marriage presents a very real threat to our hallowed rights of conscience, dissent, and freedom of religion”, said Larry Stickney, President of the Washington Values Alliance, whose organization organized the event.
The Washington Values Alliance and the Faith and Freedom Network both vowed to carry on the fight via referendum or initiative if a homosexual marriage equality bill is passed during the 2009 legislative session.
On March 10, Senate Bill 5688 passed out of the Senate on a vote of 30 – 18. SB 5688 is now scheduled for public hearing in front of the House Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM on Monday, March 23 (House Hearing Room A). While it is considered highly likely that the ultra-liberal House Judiciary Committee will pass the bill out on Monday, the Washington Values Alliance is urging those who can to attend the hearing and testify in opposition.
Speakers at the “Stand Up For Marriage Rally” included the following:
Pastor Rick Long, Atonement Free Lutheran Church
Gary Randall (Faith & Freedom Network)
State Representative Matt Shea
Ron Boehme, USRenewal.org and YWAM
Cindy Honcoop, Washington Eagle Forum
Pastor Ken Hutcherson, Antioch Bible Church
State Senator Val Stevens
State Senator Jim Hargrove
State Senator Pam Roach
State Senator Dan Swecker
Representative Jim McCune
Representative Brad Klippert
Representative Shelly Short
Stephen Pidgeon, Esq., Decalogos International
Jarrod Roth, general agent of the Knights of Columbus
Larry Stickney, Washington Values Alliance
Russell Johnson, Family Policy Institute of Washington
Pastor Peter Kulakevich, Christian Center International
Rick Forcier, Christian Coalition of WA
About the author: cominus